Identifying the headword in the main verb phrase (MVP). The headword of the MVP is the verb. Usually the verb has semantic content, as in John must have left. or The bees have been swarming in the garden for days. However, if the MVP lacks a verb with semantic content, then the verb be is the head of the MVP, as in Mary has been away for days or Oscar must be sad.
Identifying the headword in a phrase. Recall that we identified the headword in a noun phrase as the word that agrees with the verb. For subjects, this agreement involves primarily number agreement, as in
*The piles of paper is in the corner.
The piles of paper are in the corner.
For objects, selectional agreement between the object and the verb is involved, as in
*The school abolished the boys.
The school abolished the boys’ old custom.
where abolish selects custom, marking custom as the head of the noun phrase the boys' old custom.
Identifying the headword in a prepositional phrase (PP). The head of a prepositional phrase is also selected by the head of the larger phrase, either the verb in the sentence that contains the PP or the noun in the noun phrase that contains the PP. The following examples show that the verb selects a particular preposition, making the preposition the head of the prepositional phrase.
*We listened at the music for hours.
We listened to the music for hours.
*We looked to the paintings.
We looked at the paintings.
*He came down Montreal.
He came from/to/through Montreal.
*He walked of the Louvre.
He walked by/past/out of the Louvre.
Notice that the motion verbs don't select for a particular preposition, but rather for a type of preposition -- prepositions indicating motion.
In a noun phrase containing a PP, the head noun selects the preposition of the PP within the phrase.
*a farewell in arms
a farewell to arms
*a hitchhiker's guide of the galaxy
a hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy
*a walk at the woods
a walk in the woods
A. Identifying the headword of a phrase. Circle the word that is the head of each of the full phrases below.
1. a model
2. for his teammates
3. a model for his teammates
4. our first glimpse
5. of the sea
6. our first glimpse of the sea
7. a view
8. a breathtaking view
9. an Italian restaurant
10. a nearby Italian restaurant
11. must have left
12. will have been
12. absolutely beautiful
13. the most impressive
B. Identifying Phrases. Identify each of the following phrases as a noun phrase (NP), main verb phrase (MVP), adjective phrase (AP), or adverb phrase (ADVP), which includes prepositional phrases in KSVs classification scheme.
1. a model for his teammates
2. will win
3. very quickly
4. rather tall
5.
2. our first glimpse of the sea
3. a nearby Italian restaurant
4. a frivolous expense
5. an argument with Stella about politics
6.
C. Identifying Phrases in Context. Divide each of the following sentences into its subject noun phrase and predicate verb phrase with a double vertical bar (||). Label the sentence constituents: NP, VP, AP, ADVP/PP, as in the following example:
Susie || turned the turtle onto its back.
NP MVP NP ADVP/PP
1. The mechanic fixed the car.
2. The program involved the presentation of a medal.
3. The boy might put the trash into the bin.
4. Our first glimpse of the sea was a breathtaking view.
5. A good performance seems a wonderful antidote to boredom.
D. Identifying Sentence Types. Identify the sentence types in the exercises below based on the roman numerals in the prototype sentences.
I. The child laughed.
II. The child is upstairs/in the room.
III. The child is/became ill.
IV. The child is/became a pest.
V. The child saw Kermit.
VI. The child gave Kermit a gift.
VII. The child named the animal Eeyore.
a. After each sentence place a number II, III, or IV to identify the type it conforms to.
1. The picnic was outside.
2. The picnickers seemed happy.
3. The batter is very tall.
4. The batter is inside the batting cage.
5. The Cubs were the winners of the last game.
6. They are on the lawn.
7. Our appointment is now.
8. Penelope turned red at the thought.
9. Policemen are the guardians of the law.
10. The meeting will be in an hour.
11. The dean is in now.
12. The students in the back row look sleepy.
13. The beer may stay cold until evening.
b. Identify the following sentences as type I, IV, or V.
1. The time elapsed slowly.
2. The collision damaged the left rear wheel.
3. The audience became a torment to the faltering actors.
4. Mary left Jack last year.
5. Jack's hair turned gray.
6. Jack left early on Friday.
7. A strange man is lurking behind the garage.
8. He paid his bills on the first of the month.
9. We stayed friends for years.
10. The governor stayed the execution.
c. Identify the following sentences as type V, VI, or VII.
1. The committee declared Isabelle the winner.
2. I sold Joel the new SUV.
3. She drew Jack standing by the lake.
4. She drew Jack a picture.
5. We sent her a dozen roses.
6. They considered Kennedy their savior.
7. I bought Kermit a new suit.
8. They termed him a genius.
d. After each sentence write the number of the sentence type it represents.
1. Your recital was really spectacular.
2. Grover was here a moment ago.
3. The rancher told his guests a tale.
4. The archers were not successful hunters.
5. The frogs croaked in the marsh.
6. Jerry thought the proposal a mistake.
7. She had been secretary a long time.
8. The Romans won the first battle.
9. The judges believed Lightning the best horse in the show.
10. The director found him a new costume.
11. My uncle remains the worst bridge player in town.
12. The coach designated Jan the new manager of the team.
13. Migrant workers pick strawberries in early June.
14. The pickles are near the hot dogs.
15. We considered his offer a fine gesture.
16. That cigar smells so aromatic!
17. He has always seemed a serious boy.
18. Who is at the beach house this week?
19. They stayed roommates for three years.
20. The board elected Mr. Stoopnagel president.
E. Passivization. Change the following sentences to the passive voice. If no passive is possible, explain why.
1. The jeweler repaired the ring.
2. My aunt has a large dog.
3. Hamlet killed Polonius.
4. John became a man.
5. I contacted Kermit.
Definitions: complement, di-transitive, grammatical subject, headword, intransitive,
linking verb, logical subject, middle voice, object complement, passive voice, predicate,
pseudotransitive, subject complement, subject, transitive.